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GSEZ Nkok: Launched in 2010, the Nkok Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is a multi-sectoral industrial park located 27 km from Libreville. On 1126 ha, it includes an industrial zone, a commercial zone and a residential zone. The SEZ brings together 144 companies from 16 countries operating in 22 industrial sectors, including a cluster dedicated to wood processing which brings together 84 companies. GSEZ is a PPP between ARISE IIP and the government of Gabon.
GSEZ Ikolo: The Gabon Special Economic Zone (GSEZ) Ikolo ZIS is a joint venture, signed in June 2021, between the GSEZ and the government of Gabon. With a developed area of 318 ha and a preserved green area of 522 ha, the zone’s infrastructure is rapidly evolving. Owing to its single window clearance system, national and international investors can set up businesses with ease. The zone’s composition includes industrial, infrastructural, and residential spaces, along with multiple quays.
The Ikolo Special Economic Zone benefits from its strategic location, accessible by both land and river, and its proximity to the forests of the region and neighboring provinces. Presently, Greenply, Kengi Timber Manufacturing, Acewood and Gabon Sustainable Wood are the key operational units in the zone, recruiting over 100 employees. The zone will create 750 jobs by the end of 2022 and is expected to export between 150 and 200 containers of processed wood per month, generating added value to Gabon’s economy.
GSEZ Mpassa Lebombi: Created in May 2022, the Mpassa Lebombi Special Investment Zone is an industrial zone specializing in wood transformation. With a total area of 1432.5 ha, the zone includes a cluster dedicated to wood processing and eucalyptus plantations. By mid-2023, the zone will provide around 850 direct jobs and hundreds of indirect jobs through the various service providers operating in and around the area. In the zone, Jaguar Wood Products is a key operational unit specializing in saw-mill production.
Akiba: Akiba is a premium wood furniture brand that focuses on a conservative strategy to commercialize the rich Gabonese forests. Akiba Furniture eakmbodies contemporary designs with a functional aspect, developed by the talented furniture experts. Akiba acknowledges the traditional artistic sensibilities of local carpenters and demonstrates them effectively through every design and pattern. From live edge tables to outfoot furniture and fixtures, the Akiba experts spend days searching for the finest wood quality and refining their process to offer sustainably sourced furniture to consumers.
USEFUL DOCUMENTS:
Gabon Advance Wood report 2022
Engagement pour une gestion forestière durable
Bordamur High Conservation Value (HCV) report
GAW High Conservation Value (HCV) report
how we shifted the wood industry in gabon
Covered 85% by forest, on 22 million hectares, Gabon has a stock of exploitable wood of 130 million m3 of Okoumé and 270 million m3 of other species. GSEZ has enabled the country to develop and modernise a wood sector that was previously not very promising by relying on specialisation, one-stop services and alignment with the national development strategy. With 3.4 million m3 produced each year, Gabon has become Africa’s leading producer and exporter of tropical plywood, and the world’s second largest exporter. The country intends to go further in adding value to its wood products by transforming GSEZ into a centre for the manufacture of “Made in Gabon” furniture.
Key results
Faced with growing demands, GSEZ has made sustainability, traceability and certification one of its priorities. All of Gabon’s forest concessions are operated according to the sustainable forest management practices prescribed by the Gabonese Forest Code. In terms of traceability, since October 2018, GSEZ has benefited from the services of the Tracer-Nkok agency, which ensures that all logs entering the special economic zone are traceable. In the near future, the Government of Gabon will ensure that all the country’s forest concessions will be certified in order to improve the traceability of the wood and respect for communities and workers.
25,000
direct and indirect jobs created
$265 millions
worth of products exported annually
820,000 m3
of timber processed in 2019
$1.7 billion
generated in direct foreign investments
Key Features
Covering 1 126 ha, GSEZ is an integrated multi-sector economic zone, with primary focus in timber sector. The SEZ offers a comprehensive set of services to hosted companies.
Dedicated Power Plant
Dedicated Water Supply
Sewage Treatment Plant
Railway Siding and Log Park
Inland Container Depot
Fuel Station
Single Window Clearance Office
Exhibition center
Banks, Primary Health Centre, Food Court, etc.
Fire station
Log supply
Logistic park
Training centers
Warehouse
Covering 1 126 ha, GSEZ is an integrated multi-sector economic zone, with primary focus in timber sector. The SEZ offers a comprehensive set of services to hosted companies.
0% Corporate Income Tax
Exemption from custom duty on import of equipment and machinery for industries
0% Property Tax
Exemption from VAT
100% repatriation of capital and profits
Covering 1126 ha, GSEZ is an integrated multi-sector economic zone, with primary focus in timber sector. GSEZ offers a comprehensive set of services to hosted companies.
Wood Processing
Sawmill
Veneer
Plywood
Particle board
Furniture
Charcoal
Pellets
Pharmaceuticals
Cement
Concrete products
Resin & chemicals
Cosmetics
Metal recycling
Ferrous
Non-ferrous
Plastic recycling
Batteries
Beverages
Paper products
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